Democrat proposes ‘drivers card’ for undocumented immigrants

Proposed legislation would provide undocumented immigrants in Wisconsin with a “drivers card.” The bill is from state Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee). “We know it’s happening,” Zamarripa said. “We know that they’re driving without a driver’s license, without having gone to the DMV to prove they can pass a driver’s test, and that’s not good for any of us.”

She said the bill would ensure that people here illegally at least know how to drive, and have their vehicles insured. “This is a public safety and economic development bill, so that we’ll know who is driving on our roads, and more importantly, law enforcement will know who’s driving on our roads.”

Zamarripa also said the bill won’t flag people for deportation. “Some folks will say, ‘does this put a target on the undocumented immigrants back?’ I’ve asked that of constituents who I know are undocumented, and they tell me ‘right now I have a target on my back, when I get in the car without a driver’s license.”

Zamarripa, who’s circulating the bill for cosponsors, said she hopes it will receive a public hearing in either the Assembly Transportation Committee or Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, which she serves on. The bill is unlikely to pick up support from Republicans who hold majorities in the legislature.